Is It Weird To Walk a Cat on a Leash? Facts vs. Opinions

While walking a cat isn’t as common as walking a dog, there are many reasons you may want to try it. But is it weird to walk your cat?

On average, 35% of cat owners walk their cats. Of the 65% that don’t, only 5% say it’s because it’s weird. The truth is that there are benefits to walking your cat including mental stimulation, but there are always risks associated with taking your cat outside.

To gather these opinions, I read over 150 responses from cat owners on popular forum sites. Then, I talked to a veterinarian about the benefits and risks of walking your cat on a leash. Read on to learn more.

Walking an Indoor Cat Outside

If you have an indoor cat that’s never been out for a walk, take the time to consider how well they’d handle it.

Whether or not your cat would enjoy going on walks really depends on their personality. If your cat is naturally calm and curious, they may grow to love going outside after they’re properly harness trained. On the other hand, anxious cats may be overwhelmed by all the sights, smells, and sounds.

To get an idea of how many cat owners take their cats on walks, I read through over 150 responses from cat owners on popular forum sites including Reddit and Quora.

Here’s what I found:

Do Cat Owners Walk Their Cats? 35% say yes, 65% say no

35% of cat owners said they take their cats on walks. 65% of cat owners said they do not take their cats on walks.

Of the cat owners who said no, here’s why:

29%: I don’t think it would be a good idea for my cat
29%: I tried it once/a few times and it didn’t go well
20% My cat doesn’t go on walks, but they go outside
17%: I haven’t tried it, but I have seen other people walk their cats
5%: It’s weird to walk a cat

Based on the information I gathered from other cat owners online, whether or not you should take your cat on a walk depends on how your cat reacts to their harness, leash, and the outdoors in general.

Benefits of Taking Your Cat on a Walk

After reading through other cat owners’ opinions on walking your cat, I decided to talk to a veterinarian to get the facts.

According to Natasha Diehl, DVM, there are several benefits and drawbacks to walking your cat.

If your cat is harness-trained and enjoys going outside, going on a walk has the potential to improve your cat’s health and happiness. You’ll just need to take precautions to make sure you’re going outside safely.

Here are a few benefits to taking your cat on a walk:

Mental stimulation. While cats are typically resistant to change, they can also get bored. Taking your cat on a walk is a great way to let them safely explore the sights, smells, and sounds of the outdoors.
Weight control. While you likely won’t be able to walk your cat for an extended distance, any activity is good for maintaining a healthy weight. If your cat enjoys being on a leash outside, it could be a great way to encourage them to move around more.

Of course, there are also several drawbacks to taking your cat on a walk. I’ll explore these risks in the next section.

Is Walking Your Cat on a Leash a Bad Idea?

While there are a few benefits to taking your cat on a walk, there are also several risks to be aware of.

Give your cat time to get used to their harness and leash before you head outside. Also, make sure your cat is healthy enough to go on walks. As you’re getting your cat checked out at the vet, be sure to also ask about flea and tick prevention as well as heartworm medication.

“Owners need to know the risks of taking cats outdoors— they absolutely need to be on prevention, especially if it’s a state that’s warm all year long,” warns Natasha Diehl, DVM. “I have owners that can get a little resistant to that idea, and then they come back later and they regret it.”

Once your cat is up-to-date on prevention and medication as well as acclimated to their harness, it isn’t a bad idea to take your cat on a walk.

Natasha Diehl, DVM does recommend using a cat harness for going on walks. This can help to prevent your cat from slipping out of their leash. It’s also more comfortable once they’re used to wearing it.

How To Take Your Cat on a Walk

The worst thing you can do is spring an unexpected walk on an indoor cat that’s never been outside or on a leash. Instead, you’ll want to acclimate your cat slowly to their harness and the outdoors.

It’s no secret that cats aren’t fans of change, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t learn to love something new. If you want to take your cat out on a walk to explore, here’s what you can do to make it a good experience:

Slowly Introduce Your Cat to Their Harness Indoors

Start by buying a harness and leash that will comfortably fit your cat. Then, let them check it out in a familiar setting.

Try putting your cat’s harness on them while they’re still inside. They may not react well the first time, but be patient. You can give them treats while they’re wearing their harness to let them know they’re okay.

Start slowly by only wearing the harness for a few minutes, then work your way up to an hour or longer. Once they’re comfortable in the harness, try attaching the leash.

Stay Close to Home on Your First Few Trips Outside

After your cat has gotten used to their harness and leash in the house, it’s time to try opening the door.

“I’d stay in very small vicinities to start out with,” recommends Natasha Diehl, DVM. “If you have a front porch or a front sidewalk to your house, stay there first for the first couple of days.”

Give your cat time to understand that it’s safe to be outside before venturing off too far. Bring treats with you to reinforce good behavior.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

If your cat has never been close to a moving car or a scurrying mouse before, there’s a chance that they’ll encounter these things on your walk.

Your cat’s predator mode could take over and cause them to attack something small or run from something loud. If you can, take your cat to a quiet, calm place for them to walk around. This may even just be your backyard.

It’s important to take things slowly and check in with your cat regularly. If they’re showing signs of anxiety, it’s time to head back home.

Don’t Force It

If your cat hates wearing a harness or a leash, they won’t enjoy going on a walk. Instead, consider trying out a cat backpack or carrier if you want to take your cat out.

If your cat is okay with their harness and enjoys being outside, let them guide you on your walks.

You likely won’t cover a lot of distance, but that’s okay. Your cat may just want to roll around in the grass for a while, check things out, and head back inside. Never force your cat to go on a walk, to walk a certain distance outside, or to be in an area they’re clearly uncomfortable.

Can You Take Your Cat to the Park?

If you’re looking for a way to get out of the house with your cat, taking them to the park can be a great idea. Before you go, just be sure to prepare your cat properly and plan ahead.

First, acclimate your cat to their carrier and leash if they aren’t already used to it. You can start by introducing them to their harness in the house and working your way up to short walks outside.

Once your cat is comfortable being on a harness outdoors, it’s more likely that they’ll enjoy a day at the park.

Next, choose a good park to take your cat to. Find a park that isn’t too busy and that allows leashed animals. You’ll want to make sure that you aren’t breaking any rules by bringing your cat to the park.

By choosing a less-busy park, your cat will have more space to comfortably explore without the added anxiety of a baseball game or skatepark.

Finally, choose a park that’s close to home. The less time that your cat will have to travel between your house and the park, the better. If you can walk to the park, consider bringing your cat along in a cat backpack and letting them out on their leash after you arrive.

If you do have to drive to the park, give your cat plenty of time to get used to being in the car.

When Can You Take Your Kitten for a Walk?

If you have a kitten, you may be wondering if they’re too young to go for a walk. Here’s what you need to know:

As a general rule, you can start harness training your kitten as young as eight weeks old. Wait until your kitten is at least three months old before you take them outside on a walk.

Kittens are great candidates for future walk-loving cats. The faster you start out introducing your cat to a harness and being outside, the more likely they’ll be to enjoy it as they get older.

As I was reading through comments from other cat owners online, I found this great comparison between walking a cat and walking a kitten:

Comment
byu/Archz714 from discussion
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While you won’t want to take your kitten outside on a walk before they’re at least three months old, you can start preparing them for walks as young as eight weeks.

Pros and Cons of Walking Your Cat

Taking your cat on a walk has several benefits and drawbacks.

If you have the time to properly acclimate your cat to their harness and the outdoors, it can be a great way to safely explore. However, you’ll want to make sure that your cat is safely secured in their harness and up-to-date on all prevention and medications.

After talking with Natasha Diehl, DVM, here are the pros and cons of walking your cat:

Benefits of Taking Your Cat for a Walk:

Mental stimulation. Taking your cat on a walk allows them to explore a whole new world of sights, scents, and sounds.
Weight control. If your cat enjoys being outside, taking them for a walk is a great way to encourage healthy activity.

Drawbacks of Taking Your Cat for a Walk:

Possibility of escaping. Make sure your cat is securely fastened in an appropriate-sized harness. As you’re walking, keep a close eye on them at all times.
Exposure to foreign objects. There are tons of things your cat may want to eat outside. Take the time to learn about any toxic plants, dangerous bugs, or hazardous materials in the area first.
Exposure to fleas and ticks. If you let your cat outside at all, make sure they’re up-to-date on flea and tick prevention as well as heartworm medication.

Ultimately, it’s a personal decision on whether or not it’s “weird” to walk your cat. However, it’s more important to consider your cat’s health, safety, and personality.